Thomas Bowers

Thomas R. Bowers, age 94, of The Villages, FL, and formerly of Erie, PA, passed away on Saturday January 11, 2014.

He was born in Buffalo, NY on September 27, 1919, the son of the late Roy T. and Margaret Ryan Bowers.

He was a 1938 graduate of Riverside High School in Buffalo and a 1942 graduate of the University of Buffalo.

He served in the United States Navy during WW II as a Chief Petty Officer on the U.S.S. Alabama BB60.

Prior to his retirement, he worked 37 years with Erie Industrial Supply Co. in Erie serving as president and chairman of the board.

Thomas was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Erie, Perry-Keystone Lodge No. 392 F.& A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Erie, Zem Zem Temple Shrine, Erie; Royal Order of Jesters Ct. 58, Erie; Zem Zem Pipes and Drums Corp, Erie, and a life member of the Erie Maennerchor Society.

He also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital for Children, Erie Unit.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Wacker Bowers and a brother Eugene V. Bowers.

He is survived by four daughters: Suzanne R. Ozimek and her husband Richard of Erie; Laurie J. Matthews and her husband David of the Villages, FL; Bonnie E. Matteson and her husband James of Horseheads, NY; Beth T. Christopher and her husband Thomas of Grand Island, NY; six grandchildren: Richard Ozimek; Suzanne Martone; Jamie Matteson, Tara Matteson; Matthew Christopher; and Robert Christopher and six great grandchildren: McKenna, Brooke, Taylor, Eric, Grady and Ella. A brother; Owen F. Bowers and his wife Irene of Avon, NY; sister in law Gloria of Phelps, NY; and many nieces and nephews also survive.

A memorial service in Erie will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th Street Erie, PA.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Erie Unit, 1645 West 8th Street Erie PA 16505.